Chapter Ten

Seeking Solace

As much pressure as Severus and Jennifer were under, they truly didn't realize yet that their four children were under much more; for they had met after lunch to discuss the danger they were in with the board as well as the pressures from Ciardoth.

Although the other three found some comfort in their father's obvious unconcern over the school board matter in favor of starting them on basic mental exercises, Alicia felt anything but reassured about Occlumency. That was especially true when it became obvious that their own mother seemed to be the most vulnerable to mental attacks because of her training that opened her mind up to read those around her. No matter how hard Jennifer tried, she couldn't seem to manage a simple block. Despite wanting to work with each one equally, Severus found himself turning to his wife most often, complaining that she wasn't even trying. As the others concentrated on the instruction, Alicia found her bored mind often thinking of what she wanted to do afterwards, only pausing when she had to smack away foreign thoughts when it was her turn. She batted at the intrusions to her mind with such irritation that Severus couldn't help but wonder at it. But being that it was the first lesson, Severus decided to not to comment on it. He also didn't say a word when she rushed to get out of there, but was slightly comforted when he saw the other three in a hurry to catch up with her.

"Aren't you going to your house rooms? It's rather late, you know," Alex said.

"I have to do something first," Alicia answered.

"We shouldn't be going anywhere alone with all that's going on," Andrew said, having some idea where she was going. "I think I'll join you."

"Well, don't miss curfew," Aurelius warned them. "I've got bed check tonight, and I won't be lenient if you don't make it before the House painting give me their bed counts."

"You can't take off points if you don't see anything," Andrew said easily.

"Don't tempt me," Aurelius said. "Things have gotten much too serious to fool around with late night excursions."

"Don't worry, Rel, we'll be back on time," Alicia sighed, saying it more to get him off their back rather than really meaning to watch the clock. As Aurelius left, the other two turned in the other direction.

"I suppose she'll be glad to see us," Andrew commented after they had gotten to the second landing.

"I'm definitely going to be glad to see her at any rate," Alicia agreed, picking up her step as they turned into the Trophy Room. "Hello, everyone!" she said cheerfully to the paintings as she walked in, getting a few answers in response. But as she turned to face the door she found herself in complete shock, for the painting of Caprica Dusthorn wasn't there. "Caprica?" she said, feeling a panic welling up within her.

"Do you suppose Mr. Pyther is cleaning it or something?" Andrew asked thoughtfully.

"He wouldn't have moved her from this room!" Alicia said certainly.

"Maybe she's having another one of her parties," Andrew said, glancing at his watch. "We still have some time. Let's go see if Bedivere is in his spot."

Without acknowledging him, Alicia turned down the corridor leading to the back classrooms. Andrew followed close behind as she entered a darkened hall and pushed open the door to a dusty abandoned room. Slightly relieved at seeing the small frame there and the old Symbology master once again reading his book, Alicia walked over to it, immediately causing him to look up and smile at her.

"Why, good evening, Alicia! Welcome back to Hogwarts!" he said.

"Thanks, Professor, but have you seen Professor Dusthorn? Her frame is not in the Trophy Room," Alicia said.

"Oh that! Yes, I know, but don't worry. She's quite all right. She was just moved to another location in the castle, is all. Shall I tell her you dropped by?" he said.

"Actually, I'd much rather see her. I really need to talk to her," Alicia said, but he frowned and shook his head sympathetically.

"I'm sorry, Alicia, but I'm afraid right now that just wouldn't be possible. You see, she's really very, very busy."

"Why on earth would a painting be busy?" Andrew asked.

"And since when is she too busy for a friend?" Alicia added angrily. "She's the one that told me to come here…"

"I promise I will let her know you dropped by. I'm sure she'll come to see you the moment you're both free," Bedivere said. "Besides, it is getting rather late, isn't it?"

"He is right about that, Alicia," Andrew agreed. "Come on, I'll walk you to your rooms."

"I just don't understand," Alicia grumbled as they left. "He's never, ever not gotten her before when I wanted to see her. It's just not right. Maybe I should go look for her."

"I don't think it's anything to be worried about," Andrew said, taking her arm. "I mean, what sort of trouble can a painting get into?"

"Andrew, this is Professor Dusthorn we're talking about."

"Oh, right," Andrew agreed, remembering then some of the mischief she had caused with late night get-togethers with other paintings and ghosts the year before. "Look, if she doesn't show up tomorrow, we'll talk to Dumbledore about it. I think if she's run amuck or something, he ought to know." Reluctantly Alicia nodded, and Andrew put an arm around her as he led her back towards the room.

"I still don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight," she admitted.

"I know, but we've got to try," Andrew said sympathetically.

And try, Alicia did. But it wasn't just the fear of Ciardoth plaguing her mind once she finally got snuggled in her bed, distractedly watching her familiar's aquarium as Marion played in the water. Normally, his swishing around was rather comforting; but that night it was nothing short of annoying.

It was well past curfew, but Alicia finally gave up trying to sleep, knowing there was really only one thing that soothed her when she got this way. Sliding on her robe, she grabbed a wooden suitcase from under the bed and put on her slippers. She stepped into the painting of Humble Georgette, one of the old caretakers of the school, and in a quick jump went over to another painting…of a class of students painting. Her mother's image blinked in surprise to see her but Alicia ignored it, hopping out into the empty art studio and opening the closet. Sighing at the fact there was no stretched canvas ready, Alicia worked to free a large roll of the cloth from where it was stuck behind a pile of other supplies in the corner. Finally she tugged it free, but in the process loosened several other items that went crashing to the floor.

"Who…. who's there?" said a quivering but unmistakable voice. Excitedly, Alicia came barreling out of the closet with such speed that Francis Pyther nearly cast on her, barely lifting his wand up in time for the stunning spell to blast out and ricochet harmlessly off the ceiling.

"Stop, stop, it's just me!" Alicia laughed. "What are you doing here? I thought you wrote me you were getting an apartment!"

"Yes, well, the owners weren't happy when they saw the list of changes I wanted to make the place safely habitable for a vampire. To be perfectly honest, the place scared the death out of me," Pyther said.

"I'm sure that was hard," Alicia teased him.

"Wait, wait, what are you doing up? It's well past curfew unless you have an Astrology class, you know, and your art lesson isn't until Friday," Pyther said.

"Oh, everything's just been…well, awful lately, really," Alicia admitted. "But tell me more about what happened with your new apartment."

"Yes, yes, but first I want to know what's bothering you so much you're willing to face a stiff loss of house points for being caught out after hours," he insisted.

"Fine! To be perfectly honest, I really needed someone to talk to anyhow. I tried to find Caprica, but she was gone."

"Oh yes, I know about that. She's been holed up in Dumbledore's study with the other Headmaster paintings lately."

"What for?" Alicia asked curiously.

"Oh, ah, some sort of school related thing. Anyhow, I suppose you came here for a second outlet, didn't you? Here, let me fetch some nails and things and we'll stretch some canvas while we talk," Pyther suggested, glancing up at the class painting and fixing his eyes on Corey. "I don't suppose you'd keep a lookout for us? I really don't want to get the young lady here in trouble for being here."

"I'll be in trouble anyhow if either of my parents happen to look down at their watches," Alicia admitted as she raided the closet for canvas frames.

"Oh," Pyther said with a frown, his face betraying his own concerns.

"But why don't you have him watch in case you need to slip down the corridor so my father doesn't kill you," Alicia suggested.

"Well, that would be a royally cowardly thing of me to do, wouldn't it?" Pyther said uncomfortably, a bit guilty that it had even crossed his mind. "No, I'm not going to let a student get in trouble when I offered to lend an ear on my own accord. But perhaps the sooner you tell me what's on your mind the better," he said, then immediately regretted it. "But take your time."

"It probably will take some time to explain it all," Alicia admitted, talking as they worked. But she was grateful for Mr. Pyther's presence. In fact, much more than he actually knew.

Severus scowled at his watch for such a long time that Jennifer tiredly looked away from her paperwork to study his face.

"They're all awake, aren't they?" Jennifer sighed.

"Not only awake, but sneaking about after hours," Severus growled. "Andrew is in the kitchen. Alexandria is in the Owlery, of all things. Alicia is in the art room. Aurelius is the only one who's supposed to be out, and he seems to be in his house common room."

"Are you going to go after them?" Jennifer asked thoughtfully. Severus gazed at the watch, pondering a moment before snapping it shut.

"No," he said at last, sitting down on his stool and gazing at the music on the stand. "No, but if it weren't for the fact I haven't had the first day of classes for any of them yet, I swear I'd pull a test."

"Well, they did all have homework for over the summer," Jennifer reminded him. "You could always bring that up for material." Severus mused that, then nodded.

"Thank you, so they did," he agreed, but then squinted. "But since when have you ever been an advocate for my teaching style?"

"Severus, your teaching style has changed dramatically since you stepped down from Slytherin last year," Jennifer said. "And to be perfectly honest, the change has done you and your style a lot of good. I happened to have first year Gryffindors today too, you know, and even after lunch they were still talking about your class. You must have really hit home with them." Severus squinted at her.

"Perhaps I was too easy on them," he brooded.

"Oh, Severus, honestly! I'm sure you were just as firm and as serious as you needed to be. Now, stop overanalyzing everything I say. I was merely trying to give you a complement, not get into a professional discussion, and really, I think we have enough on our plates without getting on each others nerves."

"I suppose that would depend on how you mean that," Severus said casually, earning a dirty look from his wife.

"I was speaking professionally, Professor," Jennifer reminded him in a low voice.

"Yes, but you don't call me Professor professionally," Severus pointed out, matching her tone. "Although personally, I for one have had enough professionalism of any sort for one day, haven't you? After all, it is getting late," he said, glancing at his watch again. "Even the children are starting to retreat to their rooms." But Jennifer's face clouded in a way that Severus decidedly didn't like.

"I don't know, Severus. I was thinking perhaps it might be safer if I took a Sleeping Potion until I got more skilled with these blocks…"

"Oh, no you don't," he said, frowning sternly at her. "We are not putting our lives on hold because of this. After last year, aren't you tired of being intimidated?"

"More than tired," Jennifer agreed.

"Then stop allowing it," he said firmly. "We have a game plan, remember? Imagine your wand in your hand if you're caught in a dream without it, and then call me."

"And how can we know that next time this happens you'll be able to hear me?" Jennifer asked softly.

"I'll hear you," Severus murmured back. "Haven't I always come after you when you needed me? Even if you didn't want me to?" Jennifer smiled and hugged him tightly.

"I know you have, Severus. In fact, I think I trust you more now than I did when I first met you," she said with a wry smile. "But this time with reason and not just undeniable attraction."

"Well, it's about time," Severus said dryly. "It only took you nearly twenty years of marriage."

"And yet I know I haven't done anything in that time to come even close to earning yours," Jennifer said, angry at herself. "Especially after last year." But Severus merely studied his wife with surprise, gazing at her long and hard without saying anything.

"You are closer than you think, Jennifer, if you truly do trust me. For all you ever needed to do to earn mine was to allow me to earn yours," Severus said. Jennifer gazed at him, studying his face intensely as he got up from the couch and drew her with him, her worries immediately fading as she followed him into their room.

Severus' classes were less than receptive about the idea of having a test on the very first day back. And no student was any less enthusiastic about the idea than the four sleepy Snapes were.

"I hope everyone rested well last night, for I have a rather in-depth test for you today on the material you were to have studied over the holiday. Take care to read it carefully. Good luck," he added in such a dry tone and with such a poignant look at Alex that she was quite sure he somehow knew she hadn't stayed in her room last night.

If she had any doubts of it whatsoever, it ended when she caught the sour looks of Alicia and Andrew when she came in for dinner that night. Halbert also had a glum look on his face; Andrew had hardly gone to the kitchens alone. Worse, Professor Snape had made sure to assign a considerable amount of homework due the next day, and despite the fact it was merely review of things that any of them should easily know, Andrew had trouble keeping his eyes open even long enough to finish his second helpings.

"It wasn't all that bad," Phil said. "They all were right in the homework, really. My guess is he put in the tricky wording to make sure we didn't copy it."

"I do not think that is exactly why he did it," Halbert said, looking at Andrew knowingly.

"It's called cruel and unusual punishment," Andrew said, uncharacteristically grumpy.

"Oh, come on, he's not as bad as you all make him out to be," Joanie said with a frown. "True, he is strict, but Defense is a very serious subject. I don't have a problem with the way he teaches. I feel silly now letting my father scare the wits out of me about his class."

"I know, I got the same thing from my father, and he usually never teases like that," Jamie said with a grin. "But he did say to listen because Snape knows what he's doing. I do agree with him there."

"Maybe everyone just takes what he says too personally," Joanie said. "I mean, it's obvious he cares what happens to us." Joanie blinked when she noticed that most of the older students had gone silent and were staring at her. "What?"

"Give it a few days," Ted said at last, looking at Shelly. "Maybe whatever potion they're under will wear off and they'll come back to reality."

"You know, they are right, really," Zoë said, more jaws dropping as their stares turned towards her. "It's true Uncle Severus can be an ass sometimes, but he really isn't as bad as everyone says he is…especially since he's left Slytherin House. He's more relaxed than he used to be. And if he does do something in class because of something you did, you usually deserve it."

Andrew glanced at her with irritation but didn't say anything, trying to get enough juice in him to keep him awake for the next class, which happened to be Transfiguration.

Fortunately, Transfiguration was one of his two best classes, and Andrew's curiosity about the new Professor was sure to help him keep his attention from waning; not to mention just the presence of Professor Tonks' vividly colored hair.

"Come in, come in, good to see you!" she said cheerfully as they took their seats. "My name is Professor Tonks, and I'm a Metamorphmagus. I suppose most of you should know what that is by now, being fifth years. Yes, Mr. Hagrid?"

"Can you do some impersonations?" he asked, many of the other students agreeing enthusiastically.

"Do I look like a comedian? Wait…pink hair…never mind," she said with such a good humored expression that they all grinned at her. "Maybe later, maybe later! But first, I would like to take a moment to congratulate a student in here who I hear registered as an Animagus over the summer. Congratulations, Andrew," she said clapping. Andrew felt his ears grow red as the class clapped and several people commented in surprise. He hadn't planned on going public with it, whether he had to publicly register or not. "Care to show us your animal?"

"Um… no, no, not really," Andrew said, the class immediately protesting out of curiosity, his face soon matching his ears.

"I'll make you a deal. You do your circus bit and I promise I'll do mine," she coaxed him. Halbert nudged him with a grin and Andrew sighed resignedly.

"All right," he said, and got up as there was a smattering of encouraging applause from his fellow Gryffindors while some of the Slytherin, especially Meyers, was rolling their eyes and shaking their heads. Attempting to ignore it, Andrew focused on what he was doing and took a few steps up the aisle as he willed himself to change as he had done only a handful of times before. As he shrank, all the students stood to peer at him as an ash colored flying squirrel took his place.

Several of the boys snickered, but it was immediately drowned out as nearly all the girls suddenly broke out in a loud "Awwww!" with a "So cute!" in the mix before they broke out in an enthusiastic applause.

"Well done, well done!" Tonks laughed and clapped herself as the squirrel jumped up in his chair. A moment later Andrew took its place, looking quite sheepish at all the grins the girls were still giving him and the glowers coming at him from Garret Meyers and his friends. "Now, before anyone gets any ideas, don't try to do anything like this on your own unless you want a quick trip to St. Mungo's if you turn into half of something you can't turn out of. If you're still serious about trying when you turn eighteen, talk to Madame Brittle or one of the other Animagi on staff."

"Why eighteen? How come we can't try now?" Halbert asked, feeling a bit disappointed.

"Well, it's actually an ability you're not supposed to attempt until you're fully trained, but sometimes these changes happen to people in life-threatening circumstances, which is why you occasionally get a younger applicant," she explained.

"You were in a life-threatening situation and you chose a squirrel?" Garret said, looking at him like he was an idiot.

"It actually worked out quite well, thank you. I'm here, aren't I?" Andrew said evenly back.

"All right, all right, settle down. One more demonstration and then we'll work on reviews," Tonks said, smiling with Andrew. "Any special requests?"

"Can you do my new grandmother?" Andrew said with a grin.

"You had to say that. She's a hard enough act to follow as it is, you know," Tonks said dryly. "Oh, all right! I happened to have occasion to ah…well, practice some of Mrs. Craw's features before…but don't expect me to get her accent right," she warned as she bent over and shook her hair. And even though her figure didn't change from her thinner, slightly athletic build, but the face was unmistakable, from the dainty nose to the fair skin and hair. Everyone, especially the boys, applauded at that one. "Now! I hear your first term concentrated on complex liquids like glass last year, so let's start with that…er, I'll have you go ahead and get your own supplies, though, if you don't mind…the crystal vases along the wall," she said, taking a very healthy step backward. Of course, in the process she bumped into her owl's stand which toppled into the bookshelf which promptly collapsed behind her. Without even looking back at the stack of old tomes behind her, she forced a smile back on her face. "Right! Well, come on and get them," she said, not saying a word when they all gave her wide berth as they took their projects back to their desks.

By dinner Andrew had claimed the spotlight as quite a number of students - mostly the girls - tried very hard to coax him into agreeing to show them his animal form again. But despite his reluctance to do so, especially in front of so many students, Andrew discovered that he rather liked the way girls acted when there was something in particular they wanted. Part of him wanted to hold out just to hear the flirtatious tone in their voices when they tried to sweet talk him into it. None of the other boys seemed impressed with their behavior. In fact, even Halbert seemed a bit annoyed by the end of the meal, grumpily shoveling food in his plate as he noticed at the Hufflepuff table a group of girls from their year huddled together. Every now and again one of the girls, including Ginger Davidson, would throw Andrew a grin.

"I am sorry, but I really do have to meet with my parents after dinner," Andrew said at last.

"I thought Snape was going to that board of governor's meeting tonight," Zoë said, eating her dinner quite indifferent about the entire thing.

"He is, but they wanted to see us first," Andrew said carefully. "This thing with Ciardoth being able to get into dreams have got them on edge."

"You haven't had that happen to you, though, have you?" Dana asked worriedly.

"No, but, well, being a Snape, we can't be too careful."

"We all ought to be careful," Jamie Potter put in from down the table. "There's no guarantee she won't try to attack someone else next."

"I'm not worried. The dreams I have would scare off anyone," Phil smirked.

"It's hardly a joking matter," Joanie frowned at him.

"You know, the trouble with you two is you both take everything too seriously. Loosen up! Nobody's going to hurt us at Hogwarts," Phil said.

"We're talking about a creature who can go anywhere, Phil," Jamie said. "And it's hard to loosen up when something like that is roaming who knows where just waiting to destroy us all."

"Don't worry. If she shows up, Andrew can save us all by turning into a bushy tailed rodent," Phil said, and an involuntary chuckle broke out around him, making Andrew's ears turn red again.

"I think I'd better get to Snape's office. See you back at the common room," Andrew said, getting up.

"Phil, why do you have to be so rude?" Selda Muir said with a sigh, shaking her head. "You're just jealous because you can't turn into anything!"

"You know, I can turn into anything you want me to turn into, Selda," Zack volunteered in a low voice, "really. I'll show you after dinner if you like. Care for a lap dog?" Selda turned and looked at him darkly.

"When your maturity level matches the size of your fat head, perhaps we'll talk," she said icily.

"Good, maybe that'll give you time to grow a couple of points of interest for yourself," Zack said.

"Brothers," Zoë said with exasperation when Selda stormed away from the table as Zack unconcernedly started on his pudding. But Zoë's eye happened to catch sight of Alex and Mandria sitting alone at one end of the Ravenclaw table looking unusually glum. A moment later, Aurelius came over to them and he walked Alex out. "Is it just me, or is something going on with my cousins they didn't tell us about?"

"So what else is new?" Zack said unconcernedly. "Wanna come visit Peeves with me?"

"Yeah, I guess," Zoë said, although she had the strange feeling about doing something so trivial as trying to track down a troublesome poltergeist. Something was weighing on them, and Zoë couldn't help but wonder if it was really Ciardoth that they were worried about right now.